BAE SYSTEMS solid-state missile guidance system on MR-TRIGAT

A revolutionary micro-machined silicon sensor from BAE SYSTEMS has achieved a world's first by successfully directing a missile to its target.

A derivative of the Silicon Inertial Measurement Unit (SiIMU) designed and supplied by BAE SYSTEMS Avionics Tactical Products at Plymouth, UK, guided a Medium-Range TRIGAT (MR-TRIGAT) anti-tank missile to a direct hit on its target.This is believed to be the first time that a missile has been successfully guided by this revolutionary solid-state technology.

The trial, conducted in France by Aerospatiale Matra Missiles (AMM), marks the culmination of an 18-month jointly funded co-operative development and test programme between AMM and BAE SYSTEMS.It established the technical and operational feasibility of using the latest micro-machined silicon (MEMS) sensor technology in MR-TRIGAT.

BAE SYSTEMS Avionics Tactical Products has been selected by AMM to supply its silicon-based Attitude Reference System (SiARS) for the MR-TRIGAT five-nation programme.The solid-state SiARS, a derivative of its MEMS inertial measurement unit, replaces a conventional mechanical gyroscope system, reducing cost, size and weight whilst increasing reliability, life and testability.

BAE SYSTEMS experience in gyroscopes, going back more than eighty years and over 15 years of development and production of robust solid-state rate sensors culminated in the The Silicon Vibrating Structure Gyroscope (SiVSG) MEMS technology.Advanced design and micro-machining techniques have shrunk the ring resonator to just 6mm in diameter. The complete packaged sensor head is in high volume production and sensor products using this device coupled with custom ASIC-based control circuitry are in use world-wide.

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